The National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George is strongly convinced that the Akufo-Addo government will not release the report by the Emile Short Commission on the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.
He says government is avoiding to incriminate itself given what he believes is the ‘damning’ nature of the report adding that he expects nothing but a ‘cover-up’ by the government.
In March this year, the Emile Short Commission presented its report to the President after investigating the violence that characterized the controversial polls.
But the content of the report is still not known almost six months after its presentation.
In an interview with Citi News, Sam George who was a key witness in the investigation said, government posture smacks of lack of accountability and transparency.
“This government has not shown any willingness to show transparency in issues relating to Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission of inquiry chaired by Justice Emile Short. We asked for the report to be made public and we were told that the President has six months duration. I personally don’t expect government to release the report, I expect a cover-up, I expect that we will put pressure over the next few days for government to come out to tell us that the President is exercising his prerogative not to make that report public.”
“This is because, I believe the report is going to be very damning on the National Security apparatus, the kind of architecture that has been run under government and the illegal actions of the hooligans who were given state security apparatus to perpetrate violence. I believe that in the next one week, I will be vindicated that government is going to carry out a cover-up”, he maintained.
Upon receipt of the report, President Akufo-Addo said, the government will do its best to implement the recommendations in the report.
Many have mounted pressure on government to publish the report because of its refusal disregards the principles of transparency and accountability.
The report among other things outlines the findings and recommendations from the committee’s probe of the violence.
When the document was presented to the President, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Emile Short did not give details of the report but was optimistic that the recommendations will be implemented.